Washing machine



Sept. 12, 1939. J.4 wHYTE ET AL 2,172,632

WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Jahn wh e BY /qnton Zjffoz'naze Y A TTORNEY.

Sept 12 1939- J. WHYTE ET AL 2,172,632

wAsnING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25. 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VEN TORS. John wh l/e BY /Qntkony ldlffolzzare,

ATTORNEY.

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Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINEy poration of Illinois Application February 25, 1937, Serial No. 127,576

12 Claims.

This invention relates to certain novel and useful improvements in washing machines, such as used in the household, and more particularly to machines of the type wherein the impeller member is mounted substantially centrally of the tub in spaced relation to the Walls and bottom thereof to permit free circulation of the water and clothes around and beneath the im peller member. More especially, the present invention is directed to washing machines of the type wherein the impeller member is vertically reciprocated in the tub.

One of the objects of this invention resides in the provision of a novel form of impeller member which is capable of producing an improved action of the washing fluid and clothes immersed therein for performing an efficient and uniform cleansing operation upon the clothes.

Another object resides in the provision of a novel form of impeller member adapted to be vertically reciprocated in the tub of a washing machine for producing a novel and eil'cient action of the washing fluid and clothes immersed therein, by virtue of which the fluid and clothes are caused to move outwardly from the impeller at an angle to a radial plane, and causing the clothes to be turned over and flexed at frequent intervals during the reciprocations of the impeller member.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of an improved form of impeller member which does not subject the clothes being washed to excessive beating and wear and tear, while at the same time insuring eflicient cleansing of the clothes.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved form of vertically reciprocating impeller member by virtue of which the fluid and clothes are imparted circular motion around and toward and from the impeller member, while at the same time'causing the clothes to be flexed and rolled over at frequent intervals. y

Still another object is to provide an improved form of impeller member of unitary construction which is simple, eihcient and capable of being economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a View, part in elevation and part in vertical section, of a washing machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section (Cl. 68-131) J through the tub taken as indicated at line 2-2 on Fig. l, showing in top plan View, our novel form of impeller member.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the impeller member.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section through the impeller member, taken as indicated at line 4-4 on Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the impeller member.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section through the impeller member, taken at line 6-6 on Fig. 2.

In the embodiment of our invention selected for purpose of illustration, the washing machine comprises an upwardly open tub I0, herein shown as of annular form, provided with a depending skirt II to which is rigidly secured a plurality of depending legs I2 for supporting the tub in proper spaced relation to the floor. The lower ends of the legs are connected together by a frame I 4 which serves for supporting suitable driving mechanism for our novel form of impeller member indicated generally at I5, and which preferably is mounted centrally within the tub I0. Said driving mechanism comprises an electric motor I6 provided with a driving pulley I1, which through the medium of a belt I8 drives a pulley I 9, which drives a worm gear speed reducer which includes a conventional worm and worm gear enclosed within the housing 20. The worm gear (not shown) may be understood to be mounted on a horizontal shaft connected to the worm gear, and on the outer end of which shaft is mounted a crank arm 22. Pivotally connected by a pin 23 to the outer end of the crank arm is a pitman 24 which extends in an upward direction and having its upper end mounted on a pin 26, carried in a block 21 which is rigidly Secured by a pin 28 to an impeller shaft 29. By virtue of the drive mechanism described, the impeller shaft is imparted continuous vertical reciprocating movement during operation of the motor I6. It may be understood that the driving mechanism herein disclosed may be constructed for obtaining any suitable number of reciprocations of the impeller shaft 29 and impeller I5 in a definite interval of time.

As may be seen in the drawings, the impeller shaft is of substantial length, protruding a substantial distance upwardly from the bottom of the tub I0, through an opening IUa, while its lower end is reciprocably guided in a bearing 3| carried in the upper end of an upstanding tubular standard 32, which is secured by means of a. ming sa at its lower end to the frame I4. 5

Surrounding the upper portion of the vertically reciprocating shaft 29 which protrudes upwardly into the tub is an upstanding tubular standard 35, the lower end of which is formed with a ange 38 forming a transverse shoulder adapted to be seated tightly against the bottom of the tub surrounding the opening I0a with a gasket 31 interposed between said flange and the bottom of the tub. Said flange portion 36 includes a depending exteriorly threaded portion 38 projecting downwardly beneath the bottom of the tub, threaded into a block 39, the upper end of which forms a transverse shoulder for tightly engaging the under surface of the bottom of the tub with a gasket 40 therebetween. The bottom of said block 39 is formed with dependingears 39*l rigidly secured to a cross member 4| which in turn is secured to the skirt Il. When the lower end of the tubular standard 35 is tightly threaded into the block 39 with the gasket members 31 and 40, interposed therebetween, a fluidtight seal is formed around the opening Illa in the bottom of the tub.

It is to be understood that the tubular standard 35 extends upwardly into the interior of the tubular body portion I5a of the impeller member a substantial distance, preferably above the normal level of water in the tub so as to avoid the necessity of a water seal. The upper end of the reciprocating shaft 29 carries a block as indicated at 49, rigidly secured to said shaft by a pin 49a. The external lateral surface of said block is formed with some suitable polygonal outline and the upper end of said impeller member is formed with a corresponding socket as indicated at |517, and the impeller member is secured to said block in any conventional manner such as by means of a set screw (not shown).

The impeller member designated generally at I5 preferably is formed as a casting and includes a main transversely extending body portion 50 of substantially circular outline. Said body portion, as may be seen in the drawings, is formed with its upper and lower surfaces 50a and 5i)b sloping in opposite directions toward each other at the outer marginal edge thereof, Extending in generally vertical direction both above and below said body portion 50 are two sets of vanes or ribs 5|, 52, respectively, and as shown in the drawings each set of vanes comprises three in number, with the vanes `of one set vertically aligned with the vanes of the other set. As may be seen in the drawings, said vanes of the respective sets, include one substantially radially extending face, indicated at 5| and 52a, respectively. The face of each vane is sloped or curved at an angle to vertical, in the direction of the main body portion 50 while the opposite surface of the vanes as designated at 5Ib and 52b respectively, are substantially flat vertical surfaces. The purpose of the slope of the face of said vanes is to cause them to serve as impellers for directing the fluid in an outwardly direction toward the wall of the tub at an angle to a radial plane, for creating bodily movement of fluid and clothes around the impeller member. This action coupled with vertical inward and outward movement of the uid and clothes insures adequate agitation and turbulence for performing an efficient cleansing operation upon the clothes.

The upper end of the impeller member is formed with a substantially annular transversely extending head 53, the under portion of which is formed with an annular recess as indicated at 53a for the purpose of deecting currents of water in a downward direction to eliminate splash of the washing fluid during the reciprocation of the impeller member.

By virtue of the construction above described, it will be apparent that during the up-stroke of the impeller member the washing fluid and clothes are moved in a multiplicity of directions, such as outwardly, inwardly, upwardly and downwardly with respect to the axis of the shaft'29 and are also imparted movement at; an angle to a radial plane, which causes circular bodily movement of the washing fluid and the clothes immersed therein. Upon the down-stroke of the impeller member there is a tendency for the washing fluid and clothes at the upper portion of the tub to move inwardly toward the axis of the shaft 29, and also in a downwardly direction while the lower vanes 52 act on the washing fluid and clothes adjacent the bottom of the tub in a manner tending to move the same outwardly, upwardly and in the same circular direction as caused during the up-stroke of the impeller member, which tends to maintain a general continuous movement of the fluid and clothes around the axis of the tub.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings we have indicated diagrammatically a theoretical path of travel of the fluid currents, the full line arrows indicating the path of travel of the currents during the up-stroke of the impeller member, while the dotted line arrows indicate the path of travel of the currents during the down-stroke of the impeller member. This washing action, although vigorous, is gentle and results in producing a multiplicity of dverging currents of fluid during the reciprocatory movements of the impeller. It will be apparent that during alternate reciprocations of the impeller member, the clothes and washing uid are continuously impelled in a tortuous path, causing frequent turning, rolling and flexing of the clothes for eiciently and uniformly cleansing the clothes.

It is to be understood that the term clothes as used herein and in the claims is to be accorded the general meaning in the art, namely, as including any washable fabric or sheet ma.- teral in addition to wearing apparel.

Although we have herein shown and described one embodiment of our invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and variation without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. We do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise form herein disclosed, except as it may be so limited in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing iluid and clothes to be washed; of a vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion' of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes connected to said body, and also connected together at their inner vertical edges to form a unitary structure, a corresponding face of each vane extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, whereby reciprocation of said impeller member in one direction causes the washing fluid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

2. In a washing machine, the combination with 68. TEXTILES, FLUID TREATNG APPARATUS,

a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and clothes to be washed; of a vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes connected to said body, a corresponding face of each vane extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, the opposite faces of said vanes lying substantially in vertical planes, whereby reciprocation of said impeller member in one dlrection causes the washing fluid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

3. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and clothes to be washed; of a vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending upwardly from said body, and also connected together at their inner vertical edges to form a unitary structure, each of said vanes having one face extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, whereby reciprocation of said impeller member in one direction causes the washing fluid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

4. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing uid and clothes to be washed; of a vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion` of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical'axis of the tub, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending downwardlyfrom said body,and also connected together at their inner vertical edges to form a unitary structure, each of said vanes having one face extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, whereby reciprocation of said impeller member in one direction causes the washing fluid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

5. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and clothes to be washed; of a vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, a set of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending upwardly from said body, and a second set of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending downwardly from said body, the inner vertical edges of the vanes of the respective sets being connected together to form a unitary structure, each of said vanes having one face extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, whereby reciprocation of said impeller in one direction causes the washing fluid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

6. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and clothes to be washed; of a. vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, a set of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending upwardly from said body, and a second set of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending downwardly from said body, the inner vertical edges of the vanes of the respective sets being connected together to form a unitary structure, a corresponding face of each vane extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, whereby reciprocation of said impeller in one direction causes the washing uid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

'7. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and clothes to be washed; of a vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, a set of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending upwardly from said body, and a second set of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending downwardly from said body, a corresponding face of each vane extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, the opposite faces of said vanes lying substantially in vertical planes, whereby reciprocation of said impeller in one direction causes the washing fluid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.,

8. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and clothes to be washed; of a vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion of substantially circular outline extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, the upper and lower surfaces of said body portion tapering in opposite directions from adjacent the outer marginal edge thereof toward said vertical axis, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes connected to said body, and also connected together at their inner vertical edges to form a unitary structure, each of said vanes having one face extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, whereby reciprocation of said impeller member in one direction causes the washing fluid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

9. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and.

cumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes connected to said body, and also connected together at their inner vertical edges to form a unitary structure, each of said vanes having one face extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, whereby reciprocation of said impeller member in one direction causes the washing iiuid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

10. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and clothes to be washed; of a vertically reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft, within the tub, said member comprising a body portion of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, a set of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending upwardly from said body, a second set of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes extending downwardly from said body, the inner vertical edges of the vanes of the respective sets being connected together to form a unitary structure, each of said vanes having one face extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, and a transversely extending head spaced axially above said body portion and said first mentioned set of vanes, whereby reciprocation of said impeller in one direction causes the washing uid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

1l. In a washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing uid and clothes to be washed; of a vertical reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the general direction at an angle oblique to vertical,

whereby reciprocation of said impeller member in one direction causes the washing fluid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

12.1n a Washing machine, the combination with a tub adapted to contain washing fluid and clothes to be washed; of a vertical reciprocating impeller shaft extending upwardly through the bottom of the tub, and an impeller member mounted on said shaft within the tub, said member comprising a body portion of substantial area extending transversely of the vertical axis of the tub, and an upstanding centrally disposed tubular element connected at its lower end to said body portion, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart vertically disposed vanes connected to said body, and also connected at their inner vertical edges to said tubular element, each of said vanes having one face extending in a general direction at an angle oblique to vertical, whereby reciprocation of said impeller member in one direction causes the washing uid and clothes to move outwardly from the impeller in a path at an angle to a radial plane.

JOHN WHYTE. ANTHONY 'W. MOLIN ARE. 

